Best Banana Bread Recipe (Super Moist and Easy)

I’m excited to share this super moist banana bread recipe that comes out perfect every time!

This is a simple recipe that’s great for beginner bakers and one that you’ll make on repeat for years to come. 

If you’ve got overripe bananas and nothing to do with them, problem solved! Whip up this easy banana bread recipe to enjoy now or to freeze for later. 

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make my favorite banana bread recipe: 

• Ripe or overripe bananas
• All purpose flour or gluten free flour
• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Sour cream. This is the key ingredient! Adding sour cream to banana bread batter ensures a super moist texture that will melt in your mouth! You could also substitute full fat Greek yogurt for extra protein.
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Salt

How to Make Banana Bread

Be sure to set out three separate bowls before starting on this recipe – small, medium and large. 

In the Small Bowl

Mash up the bananas and sour cream. You can do this using a potato masher or just a plain old fork. 

In the Medium Bowl

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt. 

In the Large bowl

Beat the butter, vanilla, eggs and sugar. You can use do this in a bowl of a stand mixer or by using an electric hand mixer.

Combine the ingredients

Now, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the banana mixture into the wet ingredients little by little.

Mix as few times as possible, because the more you mix, the tougher the bread will be. 

Bake the Banana Bread

Now, pour the batter into a 9 inch loaf pan that’s coated in nonstick cooking spray. Bake until the top is golden brown and the bread pulls away slightly from the sides of the loaf pan.

Variations on this Recipe

1. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Incorporating mini chocolate chips to the batter is never a bad idea, and always a hit with kids. Find my recipe here. 

2. Banana Nut Bread: For a fun textural twist, try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter. 

3. Gluten Free Banana Bread: I have tested this recipe using 1:1 gluten free flour many times, and it comes out great! 

4. Banana Peanut Butter Bread: Need I say more? Swirl some creamy peanut butter through the batter after pouring it into a loaf pan for a major wow factor. Click here for my recipe. 

How to keep banana bread moist

Air is the enemy of moisture. The more air your banana bread is exposed to, the higher the chances are that it will dry out.

I like to wrap this banana bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place it into a freezer bag or airtight container.

You also want to keep the whole loaf intact for as long as you can. Cutting it onto slices will expose it to more air. When stored this way, it should stay nice and moist for days! 

How ripe should bananas be for banana bread?

There’s no such thing as overripe bananas when it comes to baking! Unless, of course, they’re getting moldy. In that case, throw them away.

But even if the banana peels have black spots and they’re totally mushy inside, it’s all good. Bake away.

How to Ripen Bananas

If you’re dying to make this super moist banana bread but your bananas aren’t ripe yet, put them in a paper bag and fold over the top.

If you have any other ripe fruit or veggies in the house, put them into the bag too. This will speed up the ripening process.

Storage Instructions

Homemade banana bread can always be stored for later! Here are your options: 

1. Short term storage: Keep your banana bread at room temperature, covered and/or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. 

2. Long term storage: Freeze your banana bread, wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside a zip-top bag. For best results, squeeze as much air as you can out of the bag. Thaw frozen banana bread at room temperature before serving. 

When you make this super moist banana bread recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more quickbread recipes, try these: 

• Homemade Cherry Bread Recipe
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
• Best Ever Cinnamon Zucchini Bread with Pecans

For more banana recipes, try these:

• Quick and Easy Banana Pudding Recipe
• Healthy Banana Nut Muffins (Gluten Free and Dairy Free)
• Bananas Foster Layer Cake